As a 25 year veteran educator and mother of four, grandmother of nine, I prayed and pondered and want to share my perspective in the wake of yet another horrible school tragedy in Connecticut. The answer to senseless killings is not as simple as taking away the weapons. The real problem is so much deeper and is more complicated than that. In the wake of yet another horrible tragedy, let's not be like the 6 Blind Men & the Elephant. I put together a few slides with my research, thoughts and ideas. Please view, share and add your thoughts. The answer to senseless killings is not as simple as taking away the weapons. The real problem is so much deeper and is more complicated than that. We need to unite - to comfort, think and find some solutions to prevent these types of attacks.

1. Let‟s Stop the Terrifying Killing
Sprees
A 25-year educator‟s perspective
Cynthia Hesser, Teacher, Librarian

2. Don‟t be One of theBlind
Men…
• I recently read to my first graders the story of six
blind men and the elephant. The point of the story is
that if each person only examines one part without
studying the whole, the wrong conclusions will be
reached and pointless disputes will be the only
result.
• YouTube 6 Blind Mice:
• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vrkhm0HT8iY

3. It‟s Complex
• The reasons for such a dramatic increase in violent
killing sprees are complex and it will not going to be
effective if we try to simplify it.
• #1 Guns do not kill people. Peoplekill people. Kids
on the frontier were around weapons all the
time, but they didn‟t go on killing sprees. Many of
our children‟s minds are being „programmed‟ for
violent behavior.
• #2 On the other hand, weallneed toagree to limit
access to powerful weapons that would not be used
for hunting or self protection. It is just common
sense.

4. More Reasoning…
• Whatever is put in to a child‟s mind is what you can
expect to come out later… I highly discourage putting in
violent video games for hours on end.
• It is impossible to stop children‟s access if they are on the
market, because so many parents today irresponsibly
buy them for the kids then do not limit the amount of time
they play them.
• Therefore, I propose the very violent ones should be
banned entirely unless we want the frequency of these
events to continue toincrease. I know – First Amendment
– we had that amendment when I was a kid, but
somehow there were limits to what could be aired and
produced.

5. Digging Deeper….
• This „elephant‟ has other facets to study and try to
understand and eradicate. Many of the youth were
suffering from one of many disorders that made it
difficult for them to „fit in‟ socially in school. Many
were bullied. Bullying now often occurs not only in
hallways and classrooms, but online and after
school. It is very difficult to control, but we must
continue to seek ways to help kids through the
difficult times. If a kid has a disorder, we need to
work together to treat them with every method
available…

6. Root Cause of Disorders
• Some disorders tend to alienate children and eventually
can lead to extreme anti-social behavior
• Dr. Kenneth Bock wrote an insightful book entitled
“Healing the New Childhood Epidemics” about the 4-A
Disorders – Autism, ADHD, Asthma, and Allergies (and
others).
• Here is a link to his CBS interview:
http://www.cbsnews.com/video/watch/?id=2686470n
• Why are so many kids being diagnosed with these
disorders? Bock states: heredity can load the gun and
environment can pull the trigger.

7. Vaccines & Diet
• Over the past 50 years, the number of vaccines given to
children has dramatically increased. Exposure to other
environmental toxins has increased as well. Dr. Bock‟s
book mentions vaccines and the associated effects as
one aspect contributing to the 4-A disorders. IFwe really
need all of them, I think it is important that we verify the
effects and possible means to reduce any harm they may
cause. When kids get behind, often shots are given to
close together to meet a Kindergarten deadline. This
does not make sense.
• Dr. Bock states that he has seen some great
improvements by treating the 4-As with diet modifications
and supplements – it is worth trying, isn‟t it?

8. Strengthening Families
• Another aspect of the
„elephant‟ is the
disintegration of family
nurturing, discipline and
the right kind of love.
The kind that does not
indulge, but gives time
and attention to matters
of morality, self
esteem, positive
experiences, and
enlightenment.

9. TURN OFF THE
TV ......
News programs that
broadcast every
detail, sensationalizing and
glamorizing the horrific act
only makes things worse. If
the networks have no
interested viewers, they will
not keep the criminal‟s name
in the news. Producing violent
movies is even more
irresponsible.

10. Counseling & Nurturing
• Sometimes it is very difficult to get kids the
counseling they so desperately need. What can we
do to make it easier and more effective?
• I believe youth would benefit tremendously from
spending more time with older people. Could we
organize programs that bring older people together
with youth (as young as 3) in libraries to
read, color, put puzzles together and play board
games? Other suggestions?

11. Can You Add to the List?
• There are probably other aspects to the
problem, but I think the ones I have addressed are
KEY and if they are not EACH studied to find ways
to reduce the ill consequences of ignoring them, I
fear the future. The young ones today are exposed
to even more violence through video
games, movies, television etc. than ever before.
• Thank you for viewing this, it‟s a first step…
cindyhesser@hotmail.com
• December 16, 2012